“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” — Jackie Robinson

Andrew Torfin, an eighth-grade science and AVID teacher at Mt. Garfield Middle School, signs off his e-mails with words from Jackie Robinson, one of baseball’s greatest stars. Torfin and other School District 51 educators recently received thanks from students or former students for making positive impacts on their lives. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week May 2-5, a selection of student letters appears online each weekday through Friday.

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Dear Mr. Torfin,

I want to start off by saying thank you.

I really appreciate everything you did for me like keeping me in AVID. You are the one that kept me going in school. When I would be sad or mad, you were there to talk to me and tell me that everything is going to be okay. Even when Rod and I were dating, you said that boys will come and go.

You were really one of my favorite teachers. Sometime we would have ups and downs, but you were still there. I am still in AVID. My teacher is Mrs. Rush. She is nice, and I love her class. Remember when we went to the college, and I was so excited to go? I still am.

I’m sorry I haven’t visited you, but a lot has changed and I live in Grand Junction now. I’ll be going to Grand Junction High School next year. It was nice talking to you, and thanks for everything.

Sincerely,
Angelina Garcia

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Dear Mary-Ellen Stevenson,

I appreciate my third grade teacher for inspiring me to do anything I can. You are an awesome teacher.

When you would read us a story, we would be very excited. I appreciated the passion in your voice as a reader and when you would count down all the school days we had left. Every time I go back to my childhood memories of Thunder Mountain Elementary School, I always try to stop by to see how you are doing.

I thank you for inspiring me to do anything I want to and to do good things in the community. I hope to see you again soon.

Sincerely,
Ivan Soto Espinoza

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Dear Ms. Westbrook,

I love you with all of my heart. You are one person that I will never forget! You make students want to come back and see you after they leave this school.

I know you and I have had our arguments, but I learned a lot in your class. You helped with all my problems and not just the ones in class … LOL!

Love,
Your best student ever!
Sadie Harper

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Dear Daily Sentinel,

My favorite teacher in all my years of school was Mr. Baskin. He was my P.E. coach and my basketball coach. He always pushed me in sports. He was fun to hang around with because he always made jokes.

We always played the games that he and I wanted to play and he would always be on my team. We also shared the same first name, Jeremiah.

I thought he was the coolest teacher ever. He also pushed me in basketball; he always wanted me to play better than the other people. So he helped me. That’s why he was my favorite teacher ever.

Jeremiah Hughes

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Dear Mrs. Romero,

Thank you for being so nice to me while I was in middle school. While I was there, you helped me a lot. When I was there, you taught me even more than my teachers. When I didn’t understand things, I went and asked you and you took me out of class and explained what I didn’t understand.

One other thing I want to thank you about is that when I got into trouble you were there and helped me. Even though you were a teacher, you would have fun with us.

The other thing that was really cool was that since we were in ESL we had parties, and, by the way, they were really fun. So, thank you, Mrs. Romero, for being the best teacher that could ever exist.

Sincerely,
Oscar Ponce

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Dear Courtney Valerio,

I had your class for fifth grade at Pear Park Elementary. I would have to say you were my favorite teacher, and you taught me most of my math and most of my common sense. For example, when we worked with the checkbooks, I learned how to balance them, and I wrote this letter to tell you thanks.

I chose you to write a letter to because you were the funniest and best teacher I have ever had. When we went on the camping trip, I was so sad you were not there.

Sincerely,
David Chaffin

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Dear Mr. Howard,

I have had you for a math teacher twice now, and both classes have been great. You are an amazing teacher; you always make everything understandable.

When I come to you for help; you make me work for my answer instead of just giving it to me, which really helps me learn. You also keep me motivated when I’m down by giving me speeches that relate to what I like.

You are always very helpful and you never let me give up. Thank you for being such a great teacher!